London's Unicorn Theatre to Bring THE VELVETEEN RABBIT Off-Broadway

Like all living things, they share a need for love, but one trait that separates children from bunnies is the capacity for imagination. When applied to a toy bunny, however, it turns out that imagination (along with love) works wonders. Such is the timeless magic in THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, Margery Williams' beloved 1922 classic, which in its 93 years, has had more lives than a cat.

Told and lovingly retold in books, movies, illustrations, ballets, and plays, Williams' emotionally riveting and gently moral tale will see yet another deserved new life when London's award-winning Unicorn Theatre brings the American premiere of Purni Morell's celebrated production to The New Victory Theater, January 22-31.

Though the 90-minute play beats with the heart and soul of the original story, the barebones set with the imaginatively designed, oversized toys that populate it, and the lively original music and movement in the Unicorn production give the story a contemporary feel.

"What is real?" asks the Velveteen Rabbit, abandoned by the boy and his fancier toys. The old Skin Horse explains how love, and even more love over time, makes you real-and no one can ever take that realness away. Director Purni Morell explains, "I knew that a lot of the time when people stage this book, they have a puppet as the Rabbit, but it was really important to me that the Boy and the Rabbit should both be actors, because that way you can tell the story of the relationship between them. To me, it's the story of a friendship."

The cast of the production includes Demosthenes Chrysan as the Narrator, Ashley Byam as Boy and Christian Roe as the Velveteen Rabbit. Jason Carr, who also serves as the show's pianist, composed the music. Wilkie Branson is the choreographer. The set was designed by James Button. David W. Kidd is the lighting designer. Malachy Orozco is the sound designer.

Performance Schedule: 7 performances

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 7PM
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2PM
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 7PM (autism-friendly)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 3PM
SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2PM & 7PM
SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 3PM

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT has a running time of 90 minutes including one intermission, and is recommended for everyone ages 6 and up.

Tickets for THE VELVETEEN RABBIT at The New Victory Theater (209 West 42nd Street) are $10, $13, $18 or $25 for Members based on seat locations, with full price tickets starting at $15. Theatergoers who buy tickets for three or more NEW VICTORY shows qualify for free Membership, with benefits including up to 35-percent savings on tickets all season long, invitations to special events and unlimited free ticket exchanges. Purchase tickets online at NewVictory.org, by phone at 646.223.3010, or at the NEW VICTORY box office (209 West 42nd Street), which is open Sunday and Monday from 11am-5pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm-7pm. For more information, visit the NEW VICTORY website.

The Unicorn Theatre was founded by Caryl Jenner as a touring company in 1947 with a commitment to giving children a valuable and often first time experience of quality theater, and a philosophy that "the best of theater for children should be judged on the same high standards of writing, directing, acting and design as the best of adult theater."

Today, the Unicorn is the UK 's leading professional theater for young audiences, dedicated to inspiring and invigorating young people of all ages, perspectives and abilities, and empowering them to explore the world on their own terms through theater.

The company strives to push the boundaries of imagination in everything they do, welcoming families, schools, and young people for unforgettable theatrical experiences that will expand horizons, change perspectives, and challenge how we all see and understand each other.

The company's present home at London Bridge contains two theaters, four floors of public spaces and two rehearsal studios; this allows it to work with some of the world's most exciting theater-makers to produce, present and tour a surprising, innovative and broad range of work that is honest, refreshing and international in outlook.

The Unicorn Theatre serves over 60,000 children and their parents and carers every year through its extensive programs both on and off stage.

This year, the New Victory celebrates its 20th Anniversary season of bringing kids to the arts and the arts to kids as New York City's premier theater devoted to the highest quality performing arts for kids and families. Serving the community in all its diversity, The New Victory Theater on 42nd Street presents theater, dance, circus, opera and music from around the world at affordable ticket prices. In addition to its public performances, the New Vic is also the largest provider of live performance to NYC school kids, serving 40,000 youth through more than 200 schools, after school programs and day camps each year. The New Victory has been recognized for its contributions to the cultural landscape of the city. Awards include a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award presented by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities for the NEW VICTORY Usher Corps, which provides paid employment to approximately 50 NYC teens each year, the national Arts Education Award from Americans for the Arts and a Special Award from The Drama Desk for "providing enchanting, sophisticated children's theater that appeals to the child in all of us, and for nurturing a love of theater in young people."

Photo by Manuel Harlan